Chandigarh, 11 October, 2024: Farmers, commission agents, and rice millers, the three main groups involved in the paddy procurement process, announced a joint plan to escalate their protest starting Sunday with a “chakka jam,” blocking roads across Punjab from noon to 3 p.m. Should their demands remain unaddressed, they plan to enlist the support of more trade unions for a larger protest on October 14.
SKM leaders, along with representatives from commission agents’ and rice millers’ associations, made the announcement together.
“This movement is about protecting Punjab and its agricultural backbone. For three hours on Sunday, no vehicles will be allowed to move. Both the central government and the AAP government in Punjab have ignored us for four years. Farmers have been forced to wait in mandis, hoping their crops will be purchased, but it’s a waste of time. Despite 11 days passing since procurement began, the government has yet to unite all stakeholders,” said Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior SKM leader.
